Volume 5 Chapter 5 The Unexpected Participants
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Day one of the trip.
Onigahara-san offered to drive us to the airport. The whole group gathered in front of the station at dawn, and we piled into her minibus.
Just like in the summer, I took the very last row. Mitsuki and Asari sat one row ahead of me, followed by Risa and Yurina. Chifumi took a seat up front, probably waiting for Manaka to take the spot beside her.
”I’m glad the weather cleared up.”
Mitsuki, who was already on the bus, started talking.
”Yeah, the flight should be fine, too… Still, that’s a lot of luggage.”
”I hate being cold, so I brought some thick clothes.”
Everyone’s travel bags were a size bigger than they had been in the summer. Since we were flying, our baggage was limited. We planned to rent gear and clothes for winter sports, but apparently it still ended up like this.
”Alright everyone, we’re leaving now. Please buckle your seatbelts.”
At Chifumi’s signal, everyone buckled up, and Onigahara-san started the bus. Our next stop was the station in the next town, where we were picking up Manaka and her group. Everyone was going, full attendance. We were moving as one unit.
I immediately scolded Mitsuki, who had already pulled out a bag of snacks.
”At least wait until we meet up with Manaka and the others.”
”It’s fine. Manaka wouldn’t get mad over something like this. Besides, I’ll be done with this much before we even get there.”
Ignoring my advice, Mitsuki began munching on her snack with a loud crunch. Since she had a large build, her metabolism was high. If she could hide the evidence, I guessed it was fine.
Fifteen minutes later, the bus stopped. With a hiss, the doors opened, and Manaka’s group climbed aboard.
”Good morning. We’ll be in your care.”
”Right this way~.”
As expected, Manaka sat next to Chifumi, followed by Yui, Yuu, and Sawa.
And right behind them, two girls I did not recognize boarded.
”Good morning.”
”Good, morning.”
One was short, the other about the same height as Yurina. Both had lean frames for sorcerers. It was clear these two were the new members Manaka had added to her group during the 2nd semester.
Their eyes darted around the bus, and they flinched the moment they saw us. Their reaction toward me and Chifumi was, to put it mildly, strange.
It was natural for them to be careful, but there was more to it than that. Even Rei reacted with a sharp spike of tension; there was a complex mix of hostility and fear. And now that I looked closer… had I seen them somewhere before?
My question was answered instantly. Asari started acting fidgety.
”……”
”What’s wrong?”
Mitsuki asked, still holding her snacks. Wait, she hasn’t finished the first bag yet? …No. Is that the second one!?
”…Kaharu-san, Sanuki-san.”
”Eh!?”
It was Risa who reacted to Asari’s mutter. I couldn’t help but gasp myself. Our collective tension turned the atmosphere in the bus instantly sour.
”Miku, don’t.”
”Meguru, you too.”
Yuu and Yui sat down between us and the two girls, their intervention successfully breaking the tension.
”Asari-chan, Risa-chan, sit down. We’re departing~.”
Following Chifumi’s calm direction, the two girls, who had frozen for a moment, moved to take the empty seats. Once their seatbelts were on, the bus pulled away.
I knew those names Asari had muttered. If my memory was correct, these two were our former classmates who had transferred out after causing trouble in the first semester. They were the pair who had tampered with the Simulated Dungeon generator, trying to kill us.
In my memory, those girls had the strong build typical of sorcerers. But these two were so thin they were practically shadows of their former selves.
Manaka. She’d really thrown a live grenade into the mix.
”Chifumi.”
”Wait a second~. I know you have things you want to say~. But first, Manaka-chan has an explanation for everyone~.”
Chifumi dodged my protest and handed the baton to Manaka. Manaka turned around and introduced the pair.
”These are Kaharu Miku-san and Sanuki Meguru-san, who have joined my group from the 2nd semester. They transferred from District 13 High School to Shisei High School, so you all know them, right?”
”Know them?” We were in the same class!
”Kuga-san, I really don’t think this is okay. I’m honestly flabbergasted.”
Risa bit back immediately. That’s right, tell her!
”We were almost killed by these girls, you know? We still remember everything that happened. We can’t just suddenly be ‘besties’ and go on a trip. I don’t want them staying at our cottage.”
Risa spoke with a serious expression. The air in the bus was heavy. Manaka, however, did not waver at Risa’s protest.
”Yes. I am aware of that. That is why they are deeply sorry and intend to show everyone their sincerity.”
Under Manaka’s gaze, the two girls slowly unwrapped the scarves around their necks.
What was revealed there was…
”…A collar of oath?”
”That’s right.”
Manaka answered my question.
”It has been decided that the Kuga family will take Miku-san and Meguru-san under their protection. That is why they have joined my group. The head of our family ordered me to watch over and rehabilitate them. After an incident like that, they would not be accepted by those around them without some kind of penalty. They wear these collars of oath at all times as a sign of their regret.”
If the Kuga family declared they were protecting them, no other house would openly object. Still, this had to be a risk for the Kuga family as well. Why go to such lengths to take care of them?
”My family must have been worried that I only had four members in my group. To put it plainly, they probably thought these two were disposable and made for easy filler.”
The head of the Kuga family is not a soft person… That was probably why they brought out a magical tool like a collar of oath, which, if misused, could legally turn a person into a slave. While I could not agree with it, it was not my place to interfere. If Manaka was satisfied with this, then fine…
”What kind of tool is that ‘collar of oath’ exactly? I have a rough guess, but I want you to explain it.”
Even though Risa understood the situation with her head, her heart clearly was not convinced. She questioned Manaka, her tone slightly softer than before.
”It is a tool that makes sure the wearer completely keeps any promises they have declared. If they break one, a punishment is given.”
I should think of it as an item that artificially copies the conditions of guidance after a disciplinary session at the Guidance facility. Compared to actual instruction, the forcing power was lower, and there were other usage rules.
”What do you mean by ‘oath’?”
”I must ask for your forgiveness on the specifics. However, the punishments are ones that leave permanent damage to the person who makes the promise, and the oath prevents them from causing harm to us, either directly or indirectly.”
”Does that ‘us’ include Minoru?”
”Yes. Everyone here is covered by it.”
Hearing that, Risa finally seemed satisfied.
”I understand the situation. …If it has the Kuga family’s stamp of approval, I’ll make an exception this time.”
”Thank you.”
With Manaka’s smile, I felt the tension in the bus finally ease.
”Look, we have time before we get to the airport. Let’s play cards☆”
”Let’s play Old Maid.”
Yuu pulled a deck of cards from her bag and started shuffling. She dealt the cards to Risa and Yurina, but also to the two newcomers. Yuu and the others were trying to bring them into the group in their own way.
If Manaka’s word was to be believed, these former classmates could not harm us. They were sorry — or rather, they were hovering in that “wet dog” state of fear under Manaka’s gaze — and I did not have the heart to kick them while they were down. They had already been given more than enough “educational guidance” from Manaka’s group; I’d stop the unnecessary bullying.
Maybe sensing my desire to just let things slide, Risa did not complain either as she was dealt her hand, drawing a card from Sanuki-san’s fan. The game of Old Maid began.
I stood up, thinking of joining in, when I noticed Sawa looking at me. In her hands were a portable game console and a communication cable. I could not resist her hopeful gaze, and I ended up playing a game with her instead.
Less than an hour later, we arrived at the airport. We unloaded our luggage and entered the terminal building. As we headed to the counter to check in as a group, I spotted someone I had not expected to see.
Shoji-kun and his group.
They noticed us too. We could not ignore them, so I called out.
”Oh, what a coincidence. Going home for the break?”
”Yeah. I thought I’d spend the New Year in my hometown. What about you guys… a group trip?”
”Yeah. We plan to be back by the end of the year.”
Apparently, we were on the same flight. He was from the 5th District. Risa’s mother was also from the 5th District. Since they lived in the same place, this kind of coincidence was possible.
We kept the conversation safe. I had no intention of talking about private matters, like visiting Risa’s mother.
”…The 5th is brutally cold this time of year. Be careful with your winter gear.”
”I will. Thanks.”
”See you.”
Shoji-kun had already finished his check-in. After his warning about the local weather, he left.
Still… to run into him here.
We had a strange encounter with him in the 2nd semester, but nothing major had happened. Just a coincidence, right?
While I was waiting for everyone after dropping off my bags, Kaharu-san approached me.
She was much shorter than Chifumi. Her hair was all soft and fluffy. The impression she gave was definitely “puppy-like.” She was so thin and small that most people would believe her if she lied and said she had just entered junior high. She had this toy poodle-like charm to her. And yet, this girl had tried to kill us.
Sanuki-san followed behind her.
She, on the other hand, had a more “older sister” vibe — or maybe the air of a future wife. It must have been the combination of her droopy eyes and the mole under her eye. She was a little taller than Chifumi… Wait, weren’t they getting a bit too close?
Kaharu-san and Sanuki-san stopped right in front of me and bowed deeply together. Kaharu-san’s form was especially clean.
””We’re sorry.””
They seemed to truly regret what they had done. Looking down at the backs of their heads, I suddenly remembered seven years ago. Remembering my time in Japan, I thought back to when I had run wild in elementary school, how I had reflected on my actions and apologized to everyone I had inconvenienced. I had struggled inside, and it had taken so much courage to apologize.
The emotions that those people I had apologized to must have felt back then welled up inside me.
”…Well, I’ll be looking forward to your conduct from here on out. Do your best.”
I was not a good enough person to say I’d “let it all wash away.” But I also was not strong-willed enough to keep cursing someone who was bowing before me. The result was a half-hearted word of encouragement.
A short distance away, Manaka and Chifumi were watching us.
I guess this, too, was within their expectations.
Ah… I don’t know what to think.
—
Summary:
The group gathers at the station for a winter trip and boards a minibus. Tensions rise when Manaka introduces two new members who are former classmates that once attempted to kill the protagonists, now restrained by magical collars of oath under the Kuga family. After an uneasy truce is established and a casual card game begins, the group encounters Shoji-kun at the airport before departure. The chapter ends with the new members apologizing to the protagonist, leaving him feeling conflicted about his own past and the current situation.
—
Trivia:
Onigahara-san is a community member assisting the group with transportation.
The two new members, Kaharu and Sanuki, have lost significant weight and appear physically different than before.
The collar of oath acts as a mechanism for legal rehabilitation, effectively functioning as a modern, magical form of indentured service.
The protagonist compares the new members’ apology to his own process of reflecting on his past bad behavior in elementary school.
Notes:
• Onigahara – An older woman exuding disciplined austerity, she is a stern mentor from the influential Onigahara sorcerer family (formerly Koki) famed for Oni-fication. Beyond her distinct combat record and close, hierarchical bonds with dojo students, she manages group logistics and drives their minibus, actively preserving her lineage’s rigorous legacy of strength.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• Chifumi – Minoru’s long-haired, scrawny childhood friend and romantic partner is a first-year honor student, vanguard, and Lead Majo who wields water/ice magic and a spear. Acting as the group’s observant travel coordinator and photographer, she masks her sharp intellect with a bubbly persona. She loves dressing as a witch and teasing Minoru, hiding their intense mana bond from her mother.
• Mitsuki – A tall, dark-skinned Oni girl with a large, athletic build and high metabolism, this blunt transfer student is a wealthy Sumo club member, Witch, and top assassin candidate who loves snacks. Shrouded in black, she uses a Kanabo, aerial footholds, and recovery magic. She is Minoru’s clingy childhood friend and rival, leaving Manaka’s group to join his winter trip as a supportive traveler.
• Manaka – An elegant, aristocratic Shisei High beauty and Kuga family sorcerer, she wields spatial and sound magic. Composed, strategic, and authoritative, she leads her own faction—integrating two new members—and reprimands public inconveniences. Formerly in Mitsuki’s group, she now advises her childhood friend Minoru, initiating sensitive requests and managing his group’s dynamics.
• Yurina – A stoic, black-haired Plain-folk student and Kendo vanguard wielding a katana with powerful Severing Sorcery. Wearing an apron, cat ears, collar, and tail, she devotedly plays a cat obeying Lord Minoru, whom she reveres with intense romantic misunderstandings, though she exhibits shyness regarding his preferences. A polite, anxious dungeon explorer, she is Chifumi’s protector and Risa’s companion.
• Asari – A serious, tall, long-haired, and curvy (E-cup) Kasakura first-year honor student and dungeon explorer. Close to Mari and Nagase, she is Minoru’s devoted partner, pampered by him and unrestrained in intimate situations. This Crystal Wall vanguard marvels at the resort but acts fidgety around new group members, willingly joining the breeding ritual and embracing Halloween.
• Risa – A tall, well-endowed Naruse merchant student raised as Plain-folk by a guild executive father. Aikawa’s sister and Anri’s older sister, she is a disciplined Onibara practitioner wielding a grenade rifle. As Minoru’s protective, authoritative childhood friend, she manages family tensions, cooks with Chifumi and Manaka, and maintains a sharp, distrustful attitude toward Komoda and newcomers.
• Yuri – A cheerful and energetic first-year student at Higashi High who is a classmate of Shibuya and an acquaintance of Kibe Yurina from their middle school days. A girl known for being aggressive toward Hayato and displaying overt favoritism.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• M – A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• R – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• Sawa – Voluptuous and bespectacled, this private-school student, original Shisei member, and Onibara disciple is a relaxed, IT-savvy gamer carrying a portable console. Part of Manaka and Minoru’s groups, she is Minoru’s pragmatic childhood friend who reads him bluntly. She knows Mitsuki, enjoys dry-land fishing, acts as a peacemaker, and suffers extreme flight motion sickness needing recovery magic.
• Yui – One of the Futami twins and Yuu’s sister, this private school student has short hair with a white lock and pink/black attire. A traveler who poses with her companion, this blunt, low-tension Onibara disciple in the Shisei group uses knives and curse arts to manifest Clams. Highly objective, Minoru’s childhood friend helps diffuse tension in Manaka’s circle/bus but was eaten by the Phantom.
• Yuu – Energetic and bubbly, this Futami twin is Mai’s older sister, Yui’s younger sister, a Mid-guard, and member of Manaka’s group. Marked by her expressive gestures, striped high-leg swimsuit, and striking a pose upon landing, she diffuses resort tension with a card game. She loves meat, playfully pushes a mic to Minoru, and follows her sister in combat before being eaten by the Phantom.
• Rei – A subjugated electric ray Aberration residing in Minoru’s shadow. A dedicated member of the protagonist’s group, this monster functions as a radar detecting atmospheric shifts and sorcery to alert the party to enemy apparitions. However, it reacts with visible hostility and fear toward new members.
• N – A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
• K – A student from East Middle who followed N to National High School out of care, successfully remaining pure through N’s protection until a misunderstanding involving Anonymous Student 0008 led to her capitulation.
• Miku – A newcomer to the group who seeks Minoru’s assistance to prove her innocence regarding a school incident.
• Shisei – An acquaintance involved in high-profile activities.
• Kuga – The family name, shared by Marin and Manaka, marks their kinship and appears on their garments, symbolizing their bond; it is also described as the farthest point from the narrator’s home, underscoring their distant connection.
• Minoru – A lean, black-haired student sorcerer and dungeon leader with adult memories secretly controls Aberrations via space magic. Pragmatically cynical yet calculated, he treats social interactions as strategic networking between sorcerers and plain-folk. This hidden Demon Lord and logistical caregiver handles the 5th District and a dramatic schoolmate harem (Mai, Risa, Mitsuki) at a resort cottage.
• Mai – Younger sister of Yui and Yuu, possessing a deceptive, snake-like gaze. She displays a shift from cutesy behavior to predatory indifference and is associated with unusual arthropod-related occurrences. A girl who accompanied the protagonist from the morning, only for her existence to be questioned as a potential manifestation of the protagonist’s inner psyche or a Phantom’s trap. A young girl who remembers specific lore from the museum and is determined to assist in the fight.
• Shoji – A conspicuous, top-ranked male transfer student from the 5th District who wears a distinctive white uniform. He leads an independent exploration group and views tower-conquering and diving as a break. Encountered by Minoru at the airport while traveling, he associates with Kotoha’s group and other curriculum students, maintaining a dry, direct demeanor that is often baffled by others’ intense focus.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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